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Aug 21, 2016

Destiny Church co-founder splashes out on $150k Mercedes - her second for 2016

One News
August 21, 2016

Co-leader of the tax-exempt Destiny Church Hannah Tamaki has splashed out on a $150k Mercedes SUV - her second Mercedes in seven months - as members continue to pay 10 per cent of their income to the church.

NZME reported that Ms Tamaki has purchased a new Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 450 Coupe - a 3-litre, V6 twin-turbo gas guzzler - with records showing she took ownership on July 28.
It's the second Mercedes purchased by Ms Tamaki this year, with the Herald on Sunday reporting earlier this year that she had also bought a $75,000 twin turbo coupe.
After the spending was revealed, Ms Tamaki posted on Twitter, saying "What u spend ur $ on, ur business, what u give 2 the poor, that's Gods business. Funi how pple that never give, hv the most 2 say ... we give".

Her tweet was responded to by several people accusing her of greed and extravagance at the expense of the church's members.

After seeing media coverage around her latest purchase, she again tweeted, saying she wished she could have an even more expensive car.
"What others say.. Yes it's jealousy.. I'd really love an Aston Martin.. Oh & black," she wrote.
Destiny Church was co-founded with Ms Tamaki's husband Brian Tamaki - a self-appointed bishop - and is a tax-exempt charity.
Returns revealed this year showed it has charity assets of about $16.7 million, putting it among the richest churches in New Zealand.
Two years ago, they opened their new "City of God" facility in south Auckland on a 3.1ha site with a 2011 rateable value of $7.65 million.
Members of the church are reportedly required to pay 10 per cent of their income to the church as a tithe, as well as being encouraged to give more in special giving drives.

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